Designation: D 2063 – 91 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Test Methods for
Measurement of Torque Retention for Packages with Continuous Thread Closures1 This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2063; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A superscript supersc ript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Sco Scope pe 1.1 These tes testt met method hodss eva evalua luate te the tor torque que ret retent ention ion of continuous thread closures on containers, with matching finishes, for predetermined environmental conditions over time. 1.2 This sta standa ndard rd does not purport purport to add addre ress ss all of the safe sa fety ty co conc ncer erns ns,, if an anyy, as asso soci ciat ated ed wi with th it itss us use. e. It is th thee responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro priate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 For Definitions regarding conditioning, conditioning, see TerminolTerminology E 41. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: immediate re removal moval tor torque que—re 3.2.1 immediate —remov moval al tor torque que tha thatt is measured at a stated interval, from 1 to 5 min after closure application. 3.2.2 torque compar pariso ison n bet betwee ween n rem remova ovall torque ret retentio ention n —a com torq to rque ue at th thee en end d of a te test st pe peri riod od an and d a pr pred edet eter ermi mine ned d immediate removal torque.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Summ Summary ary of Test Test Methods
2.1 ASTM Standards: D 996 Terminology of Packaging Packaging and Distribution EnvironEnvironments2 D 3198 Test Meth Method od for Application Application and Remov Removal al Torque of Threaded or Lug-Style Closures 2 D 347 3474 4 Pra Practi ctice ce for the Cal Calibr ibrati ation on and Use of Torq orque ue Meters Used in Packaging Applications 2 D 4169 Practice for Performance Testing Testing of Shipping Containers and Systems 2 D 4332 Pract Practice ice for Condi Conditioni tioning ng Conta Container iners, s, Packa Packages ges or Packaging Components for Testing 2 E 41 Te Terminology rminology Relating to Conditioning3 E 171 171 Speci Specificati fication on for Stand Standard ard Atmospheres Atmospheres for Condi Condi-2 tioning and Testing Flexible Barrier Materials E 691 Pract Practice ice for Condu Conductin cting g an Inte Interlabo rlaborato ratory ry Study to 3 Determine the Precision of a Test Method 3. Terminology 3.1 Definitions: 3.1.1 For definitions definitions of general packaging packaging and distr distributi ibution on terms, see Terminology D 996. 3.1.2 3.1 .2 For defi definit nition ionss of app applic licati ation on tor torque que and rem remova ovall torque, see Test Method D 3198. 1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D10 on Packaging and are the direct responsibility Packaging responsibility of Subco Subcommittee mmittee D10.31 on Child Resistant Packaging. Current edition approved June 15, 1991. Publi Published shed August 1991. 2 Annual Book of ASTM Standard Standardss , Vol 15.09. 3 Annual Book of ASTM Standard Standardss , Vol 14.02.
4.1 Test Test Meth Method od A: Stat Static ic Evalu Evaluation ation—At predetermined time intervals, the removal torques of representative samples of a con contai tainer/ ner/con continu tinuous ous thr thread ead clos closure ure sys system tem,, pre previou viously sly stored at various environmental conditions, are measured. 4.2 Test Method B: Dynamic Evaluation —Practice D 4169 is used to develop a uniform system of evaluating the ability of prima pri mary ry pac packag kages, es, in the shi shippi pping ng uni units, ts, to wit withst hstand and the distribution environment. At the end of predetermined distribution cycles, the removal torques of representative samples of a container/continuous thread closure system are measured. 5. Signi Significanc ficancee and Use 5.1 Thi Thiss tes testt met method hod all allows ows for the mea measur sureme ement nt of the torque retention properties of container/continuous thread closure systems of various designs, materials, and manufacture, and is suit suitable able for packa packaging ging development development and engin engineerin eering g evaluation. 5.2 5. 2 Th This is te test st me meth thod od ca can n be us used ed fo forr th thee ev eval alua uati tion on of container/continuous thread closure systems under controlled condit con dition ionss (wh (where ere the app applic licati ation on tor torque que is kno known wn and the applied downward force to the closure is zero). 6. Appa Apparatus ratus 6.1 Torque Meter , with an appropriate scale that accurately measures within the expected torque range for the particular container/continuous thread closure system to be evaluated. 6.1.1 A spri spring ng torque meter meter,, if used, will have a scale scale where the anticipated torque readings are not less than one-third of the maxim max imum um ran range ge of the sca scale le for the con contai tainer ner/co /conti ntinuo nuous us
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 2063 – 91 (2002) thread closure system to be evaluated. Torque results will be available in a visual format. 6.1.2 A digital or automated torque instrument, if used, will have an appropriate design and scale capacity for the container/ continuous thread closure system to be evaluated. Torque results will be available in either electronic display or printout formats. 6.1.3 A torque wrench, if used, will have an appropriate design and capacity capable of providing a reading within the anticipated range for the container/continuous thread closure system to be evaluated. Torque results will be available in a visual format. 7. Sampling and Test Specimens 7.1 Measure no less than ten test specimens for each torque measurement point per test variable. See Note 1. 7.2 Select previously unused continuous thread closures and containers as test specimens. 8. Calibration 8.1 Calibrate spring torque meters in accordance with the procedures of Practice D 3474. 8.2 Calibrate digital, automated torque instruments or torque wrenches in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. 9. Conditioning and Preparation of Test Specimens 9.1 Perform test specimen conditioning in accordance with Specification E 171 and Practice D 4332. 9.2 Fill all of the containers with the specified volume or weight of product, or other materials that yield similar weight and thermal characteristics. See Note 2. NOTE 1—The total quantity of test specimens sampled will depend upon the method selected and the number of environmental storage conditions. NOTE 2—Given the purpose of the evaluation, empty containers may be used as an option to filled containers.
10. Procedure (See Note 3.) 10.1 Test A: Static Evaluation : 10.1.1 Select the minimum application torque for the container/continuous thread system as recommended by the closure manufacturer. (For example, the U.S. Pharmacopaeia, the Society for the Plastics Industry, the Glass Container Manufacturers Institute, or other sources.) 10.1.2 Firmly position the container or closure in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the closure is concentric with the center of the torque measuring device. See Note 4. 10.1.2.1 Exercise care in positioning the container or closure to prevent distortion of either component. NOTE 3—Under certain conditions of product-filling, storage and distribution, it may be desirable to combine appropriate segments of Test Method A and Test Method B. NOTE 4—It is recommended that one operator, and a single torque instrument be used to apply all closures in any one test to reduce possible operator/instrument inconsistencies and variabilities.
10.1.3 Avoiding contact with the fixed component, grip the movable component (normally the continuous thread closure)
and rotate it at a constant and uniform rate, in a tightening direction, to the predetermined application torque. 10.1.4 Release the movable component (normally the continuous thread closure) upon reaching the desired torque. See Note 5. 10.1.5 Apply the balance of the closures or containers to the matching components as directed in 10.1.2, 10.1.3, and 10.1.4. 10.1.6 Store the assembled test specimens as appropriate in accordance with Specification E 171 or Practice D 4332. 10.1.6.1 Maintain one group of test specimens as a control by storing this group at ambient laboratory conditions. NOTE 5—The application torque range is usually determined on the basis of the desired removal torque range.
10.1.6.2 Maintain, as appropriate, one or more groups of test specimens at constant temperatures different than ambient laboratory conditions. If desired, cycling at various temperature and relative humidity conditions may be performed. See Note 6. 10.1.7 At the end of each predetermined time period, determine the removal torque for each test sample. 10.1.7.1 Determine the removal torques either at ambient laboratory conditions or at the alternative temperature and relative humidity conditions. 10.1.7.2 The following test intervals are recommended: immediate (between 1 and 5 minutes), 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days. NOTE 6—Sterilization cycles, if applied, using steam, ethylene oxide, gamma radiation, or other methods are known to affect certain plastics; these effects may influence removal torques.
10.1.8 Determine the removal torque for each test specimen by firmly positioning either the container or the continuous thread closure in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the closure is concentric with the center of the measuring device. See Note 7. 10.1.8.1 Exercise care in positioning the container or continuous thread closure to prevent distortion of either component. 10.1.9 Avoiding contact with the fixed component, grip the movable component (normally the continuous thread closure), and rotate it uniformly, at a constant rate, in a loosening direction until the continuous thread closure rotates freely. Note the maximum torque required to loosen the closure and record this value for the test specimen. NOTE 7—It is recommended that one operator, and a single torque instrument, be used to remove all closures in a given test to reduce possible operator/instrument inconsistencies and variabilities.
10.1.10 Record the maximum torque required to loosen the closure for each remaining specimen. 10.1.11 Remove the balance of the movable components (normally the continuous thread closures) as directed in 10.1.8 and 10.1.9. 10.2 Test Method B: Dynamic Evaluation : 10.2.1 Follow the procedures of Practice D 4169 for recommendations relevant to the number of test specimens, conditioning, and distribution cycles to be used to evaluate these test specimens.
D 2063 – 91 (2002) 10.2.2 Follow Section 8 on Calibration for test equipment calibration. 10.2.3 Follow Section 10 on Procedure (Test Method A) for recommendations concerning continuous thread closure application. 10.2.4 Begin evaluation of a selected distribution cycle after immediate removal torque has been determined and before any additional long-term storage, if long-term storage is desired. (Testing may be determined following distribution cycling with removal torques noted.) 11. Report 11.1 Report the following information: 11.1.1 Identification of the test method used. 11.1.2 Identification of the continuous thread closure and container manufacturer(s), the material(s) of construction of the closure (including any liner, liner coating, and additional sealing components), and the container (including any coating or annealing agents). 11.1.3 Thread finish and other designation(s) of the continuous thread closure and the container. 11.1.4 Description of test specimen preparation. 11.1.5 Description of storage conditions. 11.1.6 Description of distribution cycles and handling conditions. 11.1.7 Description of the test area environment. 11.1.8 Number of test replicates. 11.1.9 Application torque range and mean value for each test condition variable. 11.1.10 Removal torque range and mean value for each test condition variable. 11.1.11 Description of the torque instruments used. 11.1.12 Description of the rate of rotation for the application torque (if available). 11.1.13 Description of the rate of rotation for the removal torque (if available). 11.1.14 Evaluation of comparative results, if appropriate. 11.1.15 Statement that testing was done in accordance with this test method or a description of the difference(s) from this test method. 12. Precision and Bias
4
12.1 Precision:
12.1.1 The repeatability and reproducibility are in accordance with the definitions of these terms in Practice E 691 (at 95 % probability level). These values are based on an interlaboratory study involving six laboratories each of which measured removal torques of three different closures at the recommended six time intervals. (See Note 8.) 12.1.2 Repeatability— The difference between successive removal torque results, after 28 days of storage, obtained by the same operator with the same equipment unit under constant operating conditions on test packages from a single lot complying with given specifications, within a laboratory, was determined to be as follows (see Note 9): Average Repeatability Standard deviation, Sr (within a laboratory) 95 % Limits
Test Package 1 5.97 (0.68) 0.74 (0.08)
Test Package 2 8.04 (0.92) 1.06 (0.12)
Test Package 3 8.09 (0.92) 1.91 (0.22)
2.06
5.35
2.97
NOTE 8—See Research Report RR:D10-1005 for a complete description of the interlaboratory/intralaboratory evaluation of this test method. NOTE 9—Initial values are expressed in torque inch pounds-force; values in parentheses are expressed in Newton-metres.
12.1.3 Reproducibility — The difference between successive removal torque results, after 28 days of storage, obtained by different operators with different equipment units under constant operating conditions on test packages from a single lot complying with given specifications in different laboratories, was determined to be as follows (see Note 9): Average Reproducibility Standard deviation, SR (between laboratories) 95 % Limits
Test Package 1 5.97 (0.68) 1.992 (0.23) 5.55
Test Test Package 2 Package 3 8.04 8.09 (0.92) (0.92) 2.932 2.605 (0.33) (0.29) 7.14
8.17
12.2 Bias—Since there is no accepted reference component suitable for determining the bias for the procedure in this test method for measuring torque retention, no statement on bias is being made. 13. Keywords 13.1 continuous thread closure; removal torque; retention
4
Supporting data have been filed at ASTM Headquarters. Request RR:D101005. ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights, and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility. This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below. This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or
[email protected] (e-mail); or through the ASTM website (www.astm.org).